Exclusive: Eubank Jr v Benn Rematch 'Destined to Happen' Despite Weight and Health Fears

Chris Eubank Jr versus Conor Benn is destined to happen again, one of boxing’s leading figures has insisted, despite fears that weight problems could force the winner of their first fight to avoid a return.

After being taken to hospital suffering from severe dehydration following last month’s epic bout in north London, Eubank Jr is being advised to return to super-middleweight rather than boil himself back down to 160 lbs.

The Brighton fighter, a former IBO and WBA interim champion, recorded a comfortable points decision over Benn at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with all three judges scoring the contest 116-112 in his favour.

But events before and after their contest have overshadowed that victory, with Eubank Jr scaling 0.5 lbs over the agreed limit ahead of the clash and then being treated by doctors overnight as his body recovered from the after-effects of what had been a gruelling training camp.

Many well-known voices within the industry have warned Eubank Jr against taking part in a rematch having expressed concerns for his health.

But Sam Jones, who manages some of the biggest domestic names in the sport, believes the Brighton man will find it difficult to avoid facing Benn again.

“It’s contracted to happen again,” he said, speaking exclusively to SportsBoom. 

“That’s there, the clause, in black and white and there’s no escaping that - the fact it exists."

“So unless one of the lads wants a legal wrangle, unless they want to get involved in one of those, then it’s going to happen again. Those are the facts.”

LOCKING HORNS

Benn, who usually competes at welterweight, has called for the pair to lock horns again despite acknowledging he could be required to pursue other options if Eubank Jr refuses. Ryan Garcia, who lost to Rolly Romero in New York’s Times Square last Friday, is one name being mentioned as a possible alternative. 

However, with both men previously testing positive for performance enhancing drugs, that could prove to be a controversial sell.

Over three decades after their fathers - Chris Sr and Nigel - drew the second of their two match-ups, Eubank Jr and Benn had initially been set to clash in October 2022 before clomiphene was detected in Benn’s system. 

That test, which he continues to dispute, later saw him suspended by UKAD and the British Boxing Board of Control although VADA - another anti-doping body - had initially discovered the medication within Benn’s body. Ostensibly taken by women as an infertility treatment, clomiphene is also known to raise testosterone levels in men.

BITTER RIVALRY

Already the best of enemies, the collapse of that meeting dripped further poison into the already fractious relationship between Benn and Eubank Jr - with the latter smashing an egg into the Londoner’s face during a pre-fight media conference. 

That was a reference to the fact the WBC stated the consumption of eggs could explain Benn’s positive test - an explanation Eubank Jr subsequently ridiculed and Benn has also yet to clarify.

“You saw the crowd they got,” said Jones. 

“That’s going to be a big pull but, like I say, the contract is there so the only way they might be able not to do it again is by going down the legal route and that’s going to be difficult.”